Po Toi Island

Known as the ‘South Pole of Hong Kong’, Po Toi Island is composed almost entirely of well-weathered granite. Its peculiar looking rocks and seaweed are equally renowned. Be sure to try some seaweed soup and take home some dried seafood products.

Starting Point — Po Toi Pier

Approaching the pier, you can catch a glimpse of the Conch Rock to your left. Go left from the pier and follow the trail to the right of the store.

Ngau Wu Teng Pavilion

Walk across Cheung Shek Pai, a series of granitic rocks forming a natural track, and find yourself at the peak of the trail. Take a break at the pavilion to enjoy a boundless view of the South China Sea.

Monk Rock and Tortoise Rock

Descend until you are greeted by what seems to be a huge tortoise slowing making its way uphill, and a slender monk on the other side bowing at passers-by.

Nam Kok Tsui lighthouse and Gold Panning Cliff

Enjoy the magnificent sea view under Lighthouse 126. Continue down to Gold Panning Cliff, under which waves pound and seaweeds abound.

Palm Cliff

On your way back to the pier from Nam Kok Tsui, get a good look at the gigantic ‘palm of Buddha’ — a hand-shaped feature carved into the face of a cliff by the elements, which is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Po Toi.

End Point — Rock Carvings

Follow the path down a flight of stairs to the shore to see 3,000-year-old rock carvings on a cliff in Nam Tum. A Declared Monument, these prehistoric totems have faded considerably and are currently protected by a sheet of fibre glass.

Trail photos provided by HK Discovery.

This is one of the featured hiking and cycling routes of Great Outdoors Hong Kong 2017–2018. Be sure to check out the others here.

Info

Area:

Islands District

Starting point & end point:

Po Toi Pier

Average hiking time:

About 2.5 hours

Distance:

Approximately 4 km

Replenishing stations:

There are eateries and a seafood restaurant near the pier, though no replenishments are available along the hiking trail.

Difficulty:

ModerateSteep climb and descent for the first half

How to get there

To the starting point:

Board a kaito (small ferry) at Aberdeen Pier. The journey takes around an hour. This kaito service operates only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; or,

board a kaito at Stanley Blake Pier. The journey takes around 30 minutes. This kaito service operates only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

From the end point:
Board a kaito at Po Toi Pier for Aberdeen or Stanley Pier.